I didn't give up on school just yet. This next test we're allowed to have notes for, but I'm not certain how much help that will be. I bring my books over to Bilge's. He doesn't answer so I just let myself in.

"Sorry, I didn't hear you. Thanks for watching them while I work, Oz. I need this shift or they're gonna shut the power off. Their mother should be home in a couple of hours."

He acts like they're a lot of trouble. I really don't mind. "Bilge, can you read well?"

"Nah. Kodgah can. Get your ass in here," he calls. "And be fucking good for Oz, both of you. Kodgah, help her with those books."

"What are you reading?" Kodgah asks.

"I have no idea," I shrug.

"It says it on the front, dummy," he laughs. "Fundamentals of Nursing. Hmm, doesn't seem very fun to me."

"I'm starting to rethink this."

"Do you want to be a doctor?"

"I'd like that, eventually. To be able to help people."

"You bring people food. That helps them."

How pathetic I sound through the eyes of a small child. "Speaking of, let's make you and your brother some food."

I wake up to the sound of screaming.

"Oz," Kodgah cries as his little fists beat on my door until I answer.

"What's wrong?"

"Come quick! My dad got stabbed!"

I don't even bother putting my shoes on, and run behind Kodgah until I see the crowd around Bilge's suburban. Someone else has already dialed the police they inform us. I know no one is coming to help us. They'd assume let an Orc die. Well, I won't.

Bilge's baby momma is hysterical and making it hard to concentrate.

If he dies, I fear the moral compass of our group will shift. Everyone looks up to Bilge.

Kodgah presses on Bilge's stomach to mimic me. "Oz," he sobs. "What about your book?"

This is the first time I've been in a situation where I have felt pressure. In school, it's a constant overload of knowledge. This is not something the books prepare you for. Time seems to slow, yet you know that you only have precious seconds. "I have a pulse!" Their skin camouflages a lot of the blood. I know it would be worse for his children and baby mama if not for that and all his black clothing.

I try and do my best with what I have at my disposal, and with my limited knowledge. When Bilge takes that first painful breath, I almost become as hysterical as his baby mama. I've done it! "You're going to be alright," I inform Bilge.

He something in Orcish to some of the others as it riles them up.

I'm sure it's who stabbed him. Or possibly a description. It wouldn't have been another Orc. The person that stabbed him was human. Every time there's a human on Orc crime, it turns my stomach. Things are already so tense in our world. Bilge is very important to the Orcish community. If Dorghu finds out, this could cause more tension between Fogteeth and humans.

Word got around fast after saving Bilge. That morning when I woke up, there was a line of Orcs waiting to see me. Mostly mothers with little ones that were ill. One of the older men had a tooth infection. Unfortunately, without being a doctor and not being able to write prescriptions, I couldn't help them anymore other than telling them what it was.

Until the following day when I received a visitor. "Yes?" I stare up at the giant Orc in glasses.

"My name is Dr. Slaugh."

Oh, no. Am I in trouble for helping?

"The humans won't grant me permission to get a clinic. However, you can. I will give you the money. You get me my clinic. In return, I will give you a job as my assistant. I will train you on what you lack. Bilge tells me you've been having a difficult time in school and you were failing. Skip the schooling, work for me."

This sounds too good to be true!

My boss at the diner threw a fit and fired me on the spot when I said I was putting in my two weeks so I got to start right away at the clinic. I'm exhausted by the end of my first day, but it's more fulfilling than anything I have ever done. "Thank you," I tell Dr. Slaugh when he drops me off. I'm startled when I come around the corner and see Jakoby at my door. He makes my knees weak.

"You weren't there to take my order. They got it wrong."

Oh. That's disappointing. "I work at a clinic now. With Dr. Slaugh."

Jakoby seems concerned.

Silence falls, and I'm not really sure how to start the conversation back up again. Though I notice the look on Jakoby's face. I remember what he said about his partner being shot. Maybe he died, and it's taking a toll on Jakoby. "Your eyes have a heaviness to them." I want to slap my own face. Your eyes have a heaviness to them?! Really, Oz?

"I'm not sleeping well at night."

Well, at least my observation was correct even if I sounded like a stalker.

"You could come by the clinic tomorrow? I'll look you over."

"Alright. Goodbye."

As he heads back to his vehicle, I do the most ridiculous dance to celebrate.

Kodgah just starts to giggle.

"You scared me."

"Is he your boyfriend?"

"No."

"Boyfriend, boyfriend," he chants. "Humans and Orcs aren't allowed to be together."

"We're just friends."

"I danced like that once. When this girl I liked said she'd go ride bikes with me."

"Are you going to tell?"

"Nah. Jakoby's not interested in you."

"Oh?"

"Yeah. We know these kinds of things."

"I see."

"I'm just messing with you! You're disappointed. I told you you like him," he teases.

His insight is truly a gift. Or in my case, a curse. I've always wondered if Kodgah is a Bright. "You better get home. And tell your father to quit drinking while he's on the medicine. He's not fooling anyone putting it in the gas station cup."

"Yeah. Ok. My mom's been in a better mood since he got stabbed."

"I think it's because a lot of times we don't realize what we have until it's almost taken from us."

"You know that thread you used on my dad? Do you think you could like sew my brother's mouth shut with it?"

"It doesn't work like that," I laugh.

"It was worth a try. See ya, Oz."

I waited all day for Jakoby to come in. The excitement I had just fizzles out the closer we get to ending our day.

"Oz, let's call it a day before the weather rolls in."

"Alright." I try not to show the disappointment in my voice, then have a seat at the desk to finish up my paperwork.

When that first clap of thunder hit, so much for avoiding the weather. And now there's a leak in the roof. I look up to see where it's coming from, but it's Jakoby leaning over the edge of the counter. "Oh," I gasp.

"You startle easily."

"And you're late."

"I wasn't given a time."

He's so stiff sometimes it's maddening. "Examination room one." Once he goes inside, I tell Dr. Slaugh that I'll do the vitals. "He's not sleeping well."

"Tell him to get some melatonin, then you can show him out."

Crud! Well, I'm still going to check his vitals. Though I can only stand in the doorway when I open it. Why is his shirt off? I walk over to the counter and take a few deep breaths while I put on a pair of disposable gloves. Trying to remember everything is difficult enough, but with Jakoby I know I'm fumbling.

"Do you have any human patients?"

"Mostly Orcs." I don't hear what he says after that because there's a crackling sound coming from his right lung.

"I thought I told you he just needed melatonin," Dr. Slaugh says when he comes into the room.

"Dr. Slaugh, listen to Mr. Jakoby's lungs." I don't like the concerned look on Slaugh's face.

"Have you had any chest congestion?"

Jakoby nods.

"I'm going to prescribe an antibiotic. It could be the start of pneumonia. I'd like you to come back Monday, or later this week if it progresses. Will you get him an appointment?"

I nod at Slaugh and return to the desk, feeling guilty that I'm a little excited about making Jakoby another appointment. Of course, I want to see him get better, but with me working at the clinic it makes me wonder if I'll ever see him again after this. I guess it will be about the same relationship I have now. "Is Monday at 6:30 alright?"

He nods, then looks over his shoulder briefly before leaning over the desk ledge again. "Do you want to go to dinner?"

Logically? No. Absolutely freaking not. Dinner? I can't keep my feelings for him at some restaurant. The diner was different. I could run and hide. Yet, at the same time, I can't keep denying my feelings. "You need to rest, and I'm in scrubs." Good save.

"I'm a grown man. Besides, your attire makes no difference to me."

My mind races with that last comment. "I really would prefer not to wear scrubs in public."

"If I take you home to change, will you go to dinner me?"

Say no, say no, say no! "Ok," I stammer. Shoot!

"I'll be in my vehicle."

When he leaves, I slam my head face first into the desk. A date?! A date!